MARIETTA, Ga. — The publisher of the popular children’s book series “Curious George” is considering legal action against a Georgia bar owner for selling T-shirts that link Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama to the inquisitive monkey.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt is upset with Mike Norman, owner of a Marietta bar, for selling the shirts, which show Curious George peeling a banana with “Obama in ’08” printed beneath the image.
“Houghton Mifflin Harcourt did not nor would we ever authorize or approve this use of the Curious George character, which we find offensive and utterly out of keeping with the values Curious George represents,” said Richard Blake, the company’s spokesman. “We are monitoring the situation and weighing all of our options.”
Norman, who began selling the shirts in late April, has said they are not meant to be racist. He said he thinks the Illinois senator and the character “look so much alike.” Bill Nigut, southeast regional director for the Anti-Defamation League, said Norman is being disingenuous.
“He can pretend he doesn’t understand what the message of that T-shirt is, but he knows full well that’s an offensive and demeaning stereotype used to insult African- Americans,” Nigut said.
He called on citizens not to buy the T-shirts.
